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Research boat to keep watch on reef turtles

A research boat will be launched on the Great Barrier Reef this afternoon to help monitor turtle populations.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is donating the boat to the Indigenous Gudjuda reference group as part of its Turtle Rescue Mission program.

WWF's Dermot O'Gorman says the Indigenous rangers will catch, tag and release turtles between Townsville and the Whitsundays.

"Measured, weighed and checked for their health before being tagged and released back in to the water to be referenced in future tagging programs, so [it] helps to provide better science and helps Indigenous communities to better manage their resources as well," he said.

Mr O'Gorman says it is important traditional owners are involved in the tagging program.

"Being able to provide good science on turtle and dugong populations and I think we're very proud to be able to have traditional owners and Indigenous rangers being able to come up with solutions on how to protect these very important species," he said.